Grace Wiederhoeft

Grace Ruth Wiederhoeft, age 89, passed away peacefully on July 7, 2018, at Noel Manor Memory Care in Verona, WI. She was born September 1, 1928, in the Town of Stettin to the late Paul and Bertha (Goetsch) Radke. Grace grew up on the family farm, attended a one-room schoolhouse through eighth grade, and graduated from Wausau High School.

She married DeHart Wiederhoeft on June 5, 1948, and celebrated their 70th anniversary with him and family in June of this year. They made their home in Wausau until moving to Verona, WI in 2017 to be closer to their son and daughter.

Grace cared for their family and home, was a foster parent to nine babies, provided in-home daycare, and later worked for the Wausau School District, first as a teacher’s aide and then as a library aide, a job she greatly enjoyed. She was passionate about reading and books, and took great pleasure in reading to children and helping them learn to read. A long-time member of St. Stephen Lutheran Church she participated in many activities, but especially enjoyed the many years she sang with the choir.

Grace was preceded in death by her parents; 3 brothers: Oscar (Mickey) Radke, Harold (Addie) Radke, and Albert (Elaine) Radke; one sister, Doris (Wilbert) Ziebell; and a son, Michael.

Grace is survived by her husband, DeHart, sister, Violet (Norton) Hackbart; two brothers, John (Arlene) Radke and Paul (JoAnne) Radke; two sons, Robert (Mary) and James (Phyllis) Wiederhoeft; and daughter, Kay (Greg) Simmons. She also is survived by her grandchildren, Eric (Alyssa) Wiederhoeft, Rachel (Elann) Wiederhoeft, Laura Wiederhoeft, Phillip Cleven, and Grant Simmons; step-grandchildren, Rachel (Dimitris Katsaginis) Simmons, Luke, Leah and Sam Simmons; great-granddaughter, Ava Wiederhoeft; step-great-grandchildren, Peyton and Emma LaFever; and many nieces, nephews and other family.

Funeral services will be at 11:00 AM, Thursday, August 2 at St. Stephen Lutheran Church. Pastor Jennifer Dahle will officiate.  Visitation will be from 9:00 AM until time of service at the church on Thursday.  The committal will be at Restlawn Memorial Park.  Helke Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements; you may sign our family guest book at helke.com.

Memorials can be made to: St. Stephen Lutheran Church (512 McClellan Street, Wausau, WI 54403) or Wausau School Foundation (415 Seymour Street, Wausau, WI 54403).

The family wishes to thank the Noel Manor Memory Care and Agrace Hospice staff for their kind and loving care of Grace.